Son shares father's Kindertransport documentary

January 30, 2013|Jan Engoren jengoren@tribune.com

Recently Palm Beach County school children had a chance to view the documentary film, "Nicky's Family," telling the almost-forgotten story of Sir Nicholas Winton, an Englishman dubbed "Britain's Schindler" by former British prime minister, Tony Blair.

The film won the audience award for best documentary at last year's Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival.

In 1938, during World War II, Winton was the driving force behind the operation known as the Czech Kindertransport, which resulted in the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children. Thanks to his efforts, today, there are almost 6,000 descendants of those survivors, including British film director Karel Reisz ("The French Lieutenant's Woman," "Who'll Stop The Rain" and "The Gambler"), Joe Schlesinger (Canadian news correspondent) and Dagmar Símová (a cousin of the former U.S. secretary of state, Madeleine Albright).

These transports rescued children from Nazi atrocities and relocated them to fostering families in Great Britain.

For his efforts, Winton who is now 103 years old, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 583 recognizing his remarkable deeds.

"'Nicky's Family' has received over 29 awards at film festivals worldwide. The film resonates with everyone, no matter what age or religion. Winton's story is universal. It affirms that the action of one person can change the world we live in," said Neil Friedman, president of Menemsha Films, the film's North American distributor.

The film features reenactments and never-before-seen archival footage. Winton, together with rescued children, recounts their unique story, 70 years after the actual events. The Dalai Lama and Nobel Prize winner and Holocaust survivor, Elie Weisel, are both featured in the film.

Almost forgotten by the world at large, Winton's wife found a suitcase in the attic, full of documents and transport plans, almost 50 years after the war.

As part of the South Florida release of the film, the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University and Menemsha Films brought Winton's son, Nick Winton, from London to speak with students at area schools, including Logger's Run Middle School in Boca Raton and Wellington and Park Vista high schools and movie-goers at theaters throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Winton was joined by Anita Hoffer, president of The Florida Chapter of the Kindertransport Association, and second generation descendants.

Martha Brown, program director and Dr. Rosanna Gatens, director at CHHRE at FAU were excited to bring the film to the area's students.

"When we found out 'Nicky's Family' would open in theaters here, we wanted to get behind the film because it inspires young people of all faiths to step up and make a difference in the world."

Recently, more than 120,000 children in the Czech Republic signed a petition to award Sir Nicholas Winton the Nobel Prize for Peace.

To sign the petition, visit menemshafilms.com

The film is showing at The Last Picture Show in Tamarac, Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Living Room Theaters in Boca Raton, Movies of Delray in Delray Beach, and Movies of Lake Worth in Lake Worth and Mos' Art in Lake Park.